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'I assume you had your tongue stuck firmly in your cheek when you asked that question,' Jay Carney said to a reporter. AP PhotoClose

The White House’s mixed record on transparency has been well documented -- nonetheless, when asked about such concerns on Wednesday, White House press secretary Jay Carney said the award President Obama was supposed to get today vindicates the work he has done to make his administration more open.

“This is not an award that we are giving to him or he is giving to himself,” Carney said defiantly, adding that the award is "from an outside organization that has recognized the achievement that this president has made."

Fox News reporter Wendell Goler was the brave soul to broach the sensitive issue, and in exchange, Carney struck back with a little sarcasm.

"I assume you had your tongue stuck firmly in your cheek when you asked that question," Carney said.

In response to concerns raised by an AP report that indicated that FOIA requests under the Obama administration were being filled more slowly and less frequently than in previous administrations, Carney said the White House is working on making that FOIA process more transparent, and he said the administration has actually “disclosed” more information under the FOIA measure than previous presidents.

"What I will not concede is that his record on this issue is anything but exemplary, and it is because of his commitment to the issues of openness and transparency that he is receiving this award,” Carney concluded.